Estella Goldine Graham


Estella GrahamEstella Goldine Graham, loving mother, wife, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at the Ponderosa Pines Nursing Home.

She was born October 26, 1922, in Glendive, MT to Michael and Laura Vernes. At the age of 13 Stella and her family moved to Billings. She graduated from Billings Senior High School and on November 22, 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Graham, and they have been married 67 years.

Robert was an engineer for the Northern Pacific / Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for 41 years. That took them to Livingston where they lived for 11 years; they spent the next 11 years in Billings before moving to Whitefish, MT where Bob finally retired after 12 more years with the railroad. They then returned to Billings as this was always Stella’s favorite place.

Stella’s home and family were her passion. She was a marvelous cook and decorator and she was extremely talented in painting and poetry.

Stella and Bob raised two children, Judy and Nancy. They loved to golf, dance and travel to visit their children.

Survivors include her husband Robert, her daughters, Judy Ricketts of Scottsdale, AZ, and Nancy Graham of Billings, her sister, Kay Jones of Mesa, AZ, three grandchildren, Rawnda Tanner, John Burke, and Jeffrey Richards, and one great grandchild, Taylor Smith.

Stella was preceded in death by her brother, Arnold “Bud” Vernes, of Billings.

Visitation will begin 2pm Sunday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary and the family will greet friends from 6-8pm. Memorial services will be 1pm Monday, September 21st  at American Lutheran Church. Refreshments will follow the services in the church fellowship hall.

Memorials may be made to the Shrine Transportation Fund or to a charity of your choice.

    

 

Remembrances

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Always in our prayers,

Michael and Vickie Spelman


Dear Bob,

It was so good to see you this past July. And now it is with sorrow that I email my condolences on Stella's passing. How I remember you and Stella! It is always hard to lose someone you love, but I think of my mom and Stella doing their thing in Heaven, where there is no more sorrow or pain. I think they are having a grand time once again. Mike and I send our best to you and the family.

With Love,

Mike and Kathy Graves Clement


Dear Bob,

I just got the news from my sister Margret (Freidt) Ferro, she sent me the obituary from the newspaper in Billings about Stella. I am so very sorry that I didn't know or I would have made the effort to come to the funeral.

I hope you are doing all right. It has been so long since we have seen each other. I am having my daughter in law write this message on her computer, so that I can get a hold of you. I don't have your current address and did not realize that Stella was in a nursing home. She was like a sister to me.

I loved her so. We were in grade school together and then friends throughout high school and throughout these many years of life. As you may know we lost Dick. He has been gone since 1999. I am still living at home.

Please try to get in touch with me.

My heart goes out to you and your children. She was beautiful and a dear friend.

With love and affection,

Polly (Freidt) Cobb